Looking for a place to rent? Be wary of online scam

Published: Monday, October 8, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, October 8, 2012 at 11:17 p.m.

The Better Business Bureau is warning those seeking to rent residences to be wary of sending money overseas.

The scam involves the classified-listing website Craigslist and perhaps one rental property in Houma.

The bureau, which handles reports of business scams, warns that hundreds have been duped by such scams nationwide that start out with the victim inquiring about the rental property though the website.

In return, they receive a message from the scammer posing as a landlord who happens to be overseas at the moment. The scammer then asks the potential renter to wire them money and in return they will send a lease agreement and keys.

While it may seem hard to fall for, the Better Business Bureau regularly receives stories from those who have fell for such tricks.

“They work on percentages, and a small group will (fall for the scam),” Cynthia Albert of the Better Business Bureau told WWL TV Friday.

An email for a property in Houma returned a similar response. The property is simply listed as a two-bedroom, one-bath home on Virginia Street with a $500 monthly rental price.

The person responding as the landlord returned a lengthy message explaining that he and his wife were in west Africa on a mission trip with the keys to the house. The message explains the keys will be sent upon receipt of the deposit and rent.

“You will only be able to drive bye the house for now but will not have access into the house until we have sent the keys and documents to you, the requirement for getting the keys and documents of the house is the rent payment and security deposit which is refundable should in case you finally gain entrance into the house after receiving the keys and documents and feel unsatisfied or uncomfortable with the interior, but i am giving you my word that you will love everything about this lovely house,” the response said.

Gray resident Deborah Greene said on Facebook she had encountered similar such scams while seeking an apartment.

“I went as far as to drive by and talk with the neighbors and the realtor who’s sign was in the yard,” Greene said. “Both informed me that it was a scam, and I stopped communicating with the individuals and blocked their email addresses.”

The bureau said renters should be wary if their potential landlord is in another country or will only communicate electronically. To avoid being scammed, the bureau suggests never wiring money, using an escrow service and never giving out personal or financial information to strangers.

“Many, many cases you could be scammed if you don’t do your homework and if you really don’t take control. So this is what you need to do: you have to know everything about it before you send any money, sign any contracts,” Albert said.

<p>The Better Business Bureau is warning those seeking to rent residences to be wary of sending money overseas. </p><p>The scam involves the classified-listing website Craigslist and perhaps one rental property in Houma. </p><p>The bureau, which handles reports of business scams, warns that hundreds have been duped by such scams nationwide that start out with the victim inquiring about the rental property though the website. </p><p>In return, they receive a message from the scammer posing as a landlord who happens to be overseas at the moment. The scammer then asks the potential renter to wire them money and in return they will send a lease agreement and keys. </p><p>While it may seem hard to fall for, the Better Business Bureau regularly receives stories from those who have fell for such tricks. </p><p>“They work on percentages, and a small group will (fall for the scam),” Cynthia Albert of the Better Business Bureau told WWL TV Friday. </p><p>An email for a property in Houma returned a similar response. The property is simply listed as a two-bedroom, one-bath home on Virginia Street with a $500 monthly rental price. </p><p>The person responding as the landlord returned a lengthy message explaining that he and his wife were in west Africa on a mission trip with the keys to the house. The message explains the keys will be sent upon receipt of the deposit and rent. </p><p>“You will only be able to drive bye the house for now but will not have access into the house until we have sent the keys and documents to you, the requirement for getting the keys and documents of the house is the rent payment and security deposit which is refundable should in case you finally gain entrance into the house after receiving the keys and documents and feel unsatisfied or uncomfortable with the interior, but i am giving you my word that you will love everything about this lovely house,” the response said. </p><p>Gray resident Deborah Greene said on Facebook she had encountered similar such scams while seeking an apartment. </p><p>“I went as far as to drive by and talk with the neighbors and the realtor who's sign was in the yard,” Greene said. “Both informed me that it was a scam, and I stopped communicating with the individuals and blocked their email addresses.”</p><p>The bureau said renters should be wary if their potential landlord is in another country or will only communicate electronically. To avoid being scammed, the bureau suggests never wiring money, using an escrow service and never giving out personal or financial information to strangers. </p><p>“Many, many cases you could be scammed if you don't do your homework and if you really don't take control. So this is what you need to do: you have to know everything about it before you send any money, sign any contracts,” Albert said.</p>